Machine for washing or rinsing glass containers



April 14, 1953 G. E. RowE 2,534,737

MACHINE FOR WASHING 0R RINSING GLASS CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 5l, 1945 5 Sheets- Sheet l orn gy.

April 14, 1953 G. E. RowE 2,634,737

MACHINE FOR WASHING OR RINSING GLASS CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 51, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 W l.\\\\\\\\\\\\ lvm-v s E? S? @E m W) N W SQ I5 dL In ven tor:

tforney.

April 14, 1953 G, E, ROWE 2,634,737

MACHINE FOR WASHING 0R RINsING GLASS CONTAINERS Filed oet. 51, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 5 Ely. 7

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In ven for: GeorAgeERowe t torn gy.

April 14, 1953 G. EIROWE 2,634,737

MACHINE F'OR WASHING OR RINSING GLASS CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 3l, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Elly. 6

In U en t or:

GeozgeERowe ftorn eyj April 14, 1953 G. E. RowE 2,634,737

MACHINE FOR WASHING OR RINSING GLASS CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 51, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 In ven tor: G 801199521201476 ttorn ely.

Patented Apr. 14, 1953 MACHINE FOR WASHING OR RINSING GLASS CONTAINERS George E. Rowe, Wethersfield, Conn., assignor to Emhart Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application October 31, 1945, Serial No. 625,706

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machinery for washing glass containers, typically bottles and jars.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, reliable and eicient machine for taking successive upright terminal containers of a single row on an incoming conveyor, for moving such containers continuously along such a path and in such a manner that each container is subjected while in an inverted position to an internally applied washing or rinsing spray or stream of cleaning fluid and is allowed to drain for an adequate period of time, and for thereafter delivering the containers in an upright position and a single le order onto an outgoing conveyor.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a machine of the character described, an endless moving conveyor formed of articulated or flexibly connected links and having vertically spaced upper and lower stretches, together with a series of lateral container-holding pocket mechanisms carried by the links of the conveyor, and a novel arrangement of structural elements for supporting and guiding the conveyor links and their associated container-holding pocket mechanisms to prevent tilting or sagging thereof during movement of these parts along the upper run of the conveyor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved arrangement of a chain type moving conveyor, lateral container-holding pocket mechanisms thereon, means for inserting successive containers accurately into successive pocket mechanisms at one place along a substantially horizontal run of the conveyor and reliable means for removing containers from such pocket mechanisms at another place along the same run of the conveyor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a moving conveyor having a substantially horizontal upper stretch and carrying lateral container-holding pocket mechanisms so constructed and arranged that the containers loaded into the pockets of such mechanisms are guided into such pockets by yieldable spring-actuated side jaws or gripper members, whereby jamming or breakage of a container during the loading thereof is eiectually prevented.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved container-holding pocket mechanism which includes a main body portion attachable to a conveyor and a cooperative further portion removably fastened to the body portion and being a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable, specifically different Such parts, whereby containers of diierent sizes and shapes may be carried at different times by such pocket mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter be pointed out or will be apparent from the following description of illustrative practical embodiments of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of washing machine of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine ci Fig. 1, the endless, main conveyor being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a relatively enlarged, fragmentary View, mainly in side elevation, of a portion of the same machine, some of the parts thereof being in section;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the containerholding pocket mechanisms of the machine as shown in the preceding views, together with a fragmentary portion of the chain conveyor of that machine;

Fig. 5 is a front View of the pocket mechanism of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view generally similar to Fig. 3 but showing a different type of washer, a different species of pocket mechanism, and narrow neck bottles carried by the pocket mechanisms instead of jars, as in the preceding views;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the pocket mechanism of the Fig. 6 form of construction;

Fig. 8 is a View, mainly in side elevation, of the pocket mechanism of Figs. 6 and 7, showing also in section cooperative guiding and supporting rails of the machine;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View, mainly in side elevation, of a washing wheel and associate parts of the machine of Fig. 6 as modiiied for use to convey and wash larger narrow neck bottles than those shown in Fig. 6, a specifically different pocket mechanism being included in such modification;

Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical section through the portion of the machine that is partially shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 8, showing the pocket mechanism and container of the Fig. 9 set-up;

Fig. 12 is a plan section through a portion of the parts shown in Fig. 11, the View being approximately along the line I2--I2 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 11.

The improved machine may comprise an endless, main conveyor I, the upper stretch of which is shown in Fig. 1 and a portion of which also is shown in Fig. 3. As best appears from Fig. 4, this conveyor may consist of links 2 articulated or pivotally connected in a series by pivot pins 3 and 4, the latter being located at regular intervals, as in alternation with sets of two adjacent pivot pins 3, and having projecting end portions 5 at what may be termed the front side of the machine. Pocket mechanisms are mounted on these projecting end portions, as hereinafter will be explained.

The conveyor I is trained about and carried by a pair of horizontally spaced sprocket Wheels 6 and 1, respectively, Figs. 1 and 2. These are carried by parallel, horizontal shafts 8 and 9, respectively. These extend transversely of and are mounte-d in the sides of a generally rectangular supporting framework structure, generally designated Ill, the details of which are immaterial here and may be conventional. One of the sprockets, in this instance the sprocket 7, is positively driven, as by having a rearwardly extending end portion II of its shaft 9 provided with a driven connection, indicated at I2 in Fig. 1, with a suitable prime mover, such as the motor unit I3. The sprocket 'I is of course fixed to its shaft in this arrangement, which is such as to move the upper stretch of the conveyor I from right to left as viewed in Fig. l, this direction being indicated by the arrow I4 in that view.

The conveyor I carries. a series of containerholding pocket mechanisms, generally indicated at I5,in Figs. l, 3, 4 and 5 and shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5. This mechanism comprises a main part or body I6 which may be made by castingand machining, or in any other suitable known manner and which may include oppositely extending integral attaching lugs VI and I8, respectively, and a forwardly extending integral container side engaging arm or xed jaw I9. The lug I8 is located rearwardly of the plane of the rearward surface 20, Fig. 4, of the lug I7 and isl of considerably less fore-and-aft thickness than the latter. The lug I8 is slotted at 2I 'to tover theprojecting end portion 5 of a pivot pin 4 in a position close to the front edge of the conveyor I. The lug I TI is apertured at 22 to t over the portion 5 ofthe preceding pivot pin Ll of the conveyor. In assembling a series of these` pocket mechanisms on the conveyor, the lug I'I of each is carried on its pivot pin projection 5 next to the lug I8 of the preceding pocket mechanism, a cotter pin 23 or the like being provided adjacent to the outer end ofthe pivot pin projection to retain theselugs in assembled positions thereon. See Fig. 4. Relative shifting movements between the slotted lugs i8 and the pivot pin projections extending therethrough obviate binding of the connected separate parts of the conveyor and series of pocket` mechanisms when the conveyor is mounted and driven as hereinbefore described.

The fixed arm or jaw I9 projects forwardly from the pocket mechanism bodyv I5 at the side of the latter next to the attaching, lug I7. A cooperative, spring pressed, pivoted jaw, generally indicated at 2d in Fig. 4, projects forwardly from the body I6 adjacent to the opposite .sidev of such body. As best seen in Fig. 5, the spring pressed jaw comprises upper and lower similar sections 25 and 26, respectively, formed of suitably bent intermediate portions of spring wires which have their end portions bent to form torsion spring coils 2 and 28, respectively, en-

circling a vertical pivot pin 29, the remote ends, 30 and 3l, respectively, of the two coils bearing,

against the outer sides of the jaw sections 25 and 2f, respectively, and the adjacent ends 32 and 33 of such coils bearing against the lug I8. The vertical pivot pin 29 is carried by vertically spaced apertured ears or lugs 34 and 35, respectively, on the pocket mechanism body IB. The arrangement is such as tourge the pivoted spring jaw members 25 and 25ipivotally around the axis of the pivot pin 29 in the direction of the xed jaw I9 and against stops 3S and 3l, respectively, on an insert 38 which is secured in a fixed position in a front recessed portion 39 of the body i6, as by the screw d20. The insert 38 has upwardly. and downwardly extending integral arms 5I and 52, respectively, projecting above and below the upper and lower edges of the body I6, respectively. rIhe arms lI and 42 have forwardly turned terminal portions 43 and M, respectively, of sufficient length to serve as stops to limit axial movement of a container e5 relative to the pocket mechanism in which the container is being held by the cooperative side engagingy jaws I9 and 215. The insert 38 also may have upper and lower horizontal front angesvorvenlargements 55 and di, rsepectively, for contacting with the container to limit the rearward move.-

ment of the container 55m the pocket,betweenV the jaws I9 and 21S.

The washing machine may include an incom.- ing horizontal conveyor` d8, Fig. 1, on which the containers to be washed are broughtin an` upright position and in a single le yorder to a loading mechanism, generally designated 49, by which successive containers 45 are transferred to the pockets of the container-holding mechanisms I5 as such mechanisms are brought inturn by the upper stretch of the main conveyor I to a loading station A.

The loading mechanism; comprises a horizontally disposed star wheel 50i which is mounted to rotate about the axis of ,a vertical shaft 5I by which such star wheel iscarried. The star wheel 5U has a series' of regularly spaced recesses or cutaway, portions 52 in itsv periphery, each adapted to accommodate one of the upright containers "l5 and to sweep that container vfrom the incoming conveyor Q8 onto and across a dead plate 53 to position to be embraced and ,gripped by the cooperative containerfside engaging jaws I9 and 24 of the pocket mechanism I5 at the loading station A. The containers may be disposed in regularly spaced relation on the incoming conveyor i8 as they approach the starwheel 55 and be fed to the peripheral recesses 52 of the star wheel by a longitudinally extending horizontal feed worm 54. Cooperative side rails 55 and 55 may be provided-above part of tends part way around the star wheel from they incoming conveyor to theyvicinity ofthe main conveyor to prevent accidental displacement of the containers from the-*peripheral recesses of the star wheel during transit ofthe containers to position to be embraced by the container side engaging jaws of su( :ces sive. pocket mechanisms ontheupper stretch of the .main conveyorY I.

As shown in Fig. l, thecontainer side engaging jaws of the pocket mechanism immediatelyy preceding that at the loading lstation `A are mov-- `ing into a peripheral recess of the star wheel at opposite sides of the container 45 therein. By the time the movement of the main conveyor l carries that pocket mechanism to the loading station, these jaws will embrace the container referred to. This is clear from the relationship of the parts shown at the loading station in Fig. 1. The rotation of the star wheel and the rectilinear movement of the main conveyor l, respectively indicated by the arrows 58 and I4 in Fig. l, cause the container side engaging jaws to move into the pocket approaching the loading station so as to grip the container therein. During the transfer to such pocket, the trailing jaw 24 may yield, being spring pressed, suiciently to assure accurate positioning of the container between the jaws of the pocket mechanism involved by the time that pocket mechanism and its container reach the loading station. Thereafter, the further rotary movement of the star wheel 59 and the continued rectilinear movement of the main conveyor i will remove the container from the star wheel so that it will be carried between the container side engaging jaws of its pocket mechanism. When the container is in its pocket, the spring pressed jaw will press firmly against the side of the container forwardly of the vertical center line of the container and thus will tend to hold the latter against outward displacement from such pocket.

The feed worm 55, the star wheel transfer member 59 and the main conveyor l are driven in coordination with one another to assure accurate feeding of the containers from the incoming conveyor to the star wheel and from the star wheel to the sprockets of the containerholding mechanisms on the main conveyor. The mechanism for driving these parts comprises a bevel gear 59, Fig. 2, mounted to turn with the sprocket 1 about the axis of the sprocket carrying shaft 9. The bevel gear 59 drives a bevel pinion 6a on the upper end of a short vertical shaft 6|. This shaft carries a horizontally disposed sprocket 62, Figs. 1 and 2, which is in driving engagement with a chain 63. The chain 63 is trained about a pair of horizontally spaced idler sprockets 64 and 95, respectively, mounted on the supporting framework structure of the machine. rIhe arrangement is such that the outer stretch of the chain 63 not only is engaged by the driving sprocket S2 but is in driving engagement with a horizontal sprocket 66, another horizontally disposed sprocket 91 and a still further horizontally disposed sprocket 98, all as best seen in Fig. 1. The sprocket 68 is mounted on the lower end of the vertical shaft 5|, by which the star wheel 5U is carried. The sprocket 61 drives a short vertical shaft 89, Fig. 2, which carries a bevel gear 10. The bevel gear 19 drives a bevel gear 1I on a short horizontal shaft 12, carrying a sprocket 13. A chain belt 14 is trained about the sprocket 13 and a cooperative sprocket 15 on a shaft 19, which carries the aforesaid feed worm 54. Thus the feed worm 54, the star wheel 59 and the main conveyor i all have driven connections with the same driving element and their operations thus are coordinated or synchronized.

The horizontal sprocket 69, above referred to, is mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft 11, the upper end portion of which carries a star wheel 18 of an unloading mechanism generally designated 19. The star wheel 18 is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow 88, Fig. 1. This star wheel has regularly spaced recesses 8l in its periphery, each adapted to accommodate one ofthe containers. At an unloading station B, Fig. 1, a fixed horizontally disposed tapering finger 82 is provided between the unloading star wheel 18 and the upper stretch of the main conveyor. The tapering end of the member 82 will enter the pocket of each pocket mechanism back of the container therein as such pocket mechanism approaches the unloading station B. By the time such container has been brought to the unloading station by its pocket mechanism, an arcuately curved guiding surface 83 on the side of the member 82 next to the periphery of the star wheel will have biased the container outwardly from its pocket between the side jaws by which it was previously held, into one of the recesses 8| in the periphery of the unloading star wheel. As the rotary movement of the star wheel 18 continues, the container will be guided from its pocket mechanism onto and across a dead plate 84 and from the latter onto an outgoing or ware-removing conveyor 85. A xed container guiding and retaining rail 86 may be provided around part of the unloading star wheel 18, so as to continue the guiding action of the curved surface 83 of the unloading member S2 and to prevent premature displacement of the containers from the recesses 8| in the periphery of the star wheel 18. Such containers will be carried on the outgoing conveyor in upright position and in a single file order, and may be delivered thereby to any suitable associate mechanism, not shown.

The upper stretch of the main conveyor chain l and the pocket mechanisms thereon are prevented from sagging or tilting under the weight of such pocket mechanisms and the containers therein. The means for effecting this result may comprise a pair of vertically spaced horizontally extending rails 31 and 88, respectively, Figs. 2 and 3, and transversely grooved upper and lower portions 89 and 90, respectively, Fig. 3, of the body i9 of each pocket mechanism I5, which have sliding engagement with the adjacent edge portions of the fixed rails 81 and 88. The rails 81 and 88 may have their adjacent edge portions beaded and transversely rounded or convexly curved, as shown at 9| and 92, respectively, in Fig. 8, in which the rails shown are the same as those of the structures shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The transverse grooves in the portions 39 and 90 of the bodies I6 of the container-holding mechanisms may have transversely rounded or concavely curved walls, as shown by the shading of the upper groove 93 in the body of the pocket mechanism shown in Fig. 4 and as shown in cross-section for the grooves 95 and 99 in the body of the similar pocket mechanism shown in Fig. 8. The upper stretch of the main conveyor thus will be effectively held against tilting or sagging or side sway.

The containers carried by the pocket meehanism l5 on the main conveyor chain l will be inverted during the passage of the conveyor around the sprocket wheel 6, as best seen in Fig. 3. Jets of water or any other suitable cleaning fluid may be squirted upwardly into the downturned mouths of these inverted containers while they are being carried along the lower run of the conveyor. To this end, a horizontal cleaning fluid discharge pipe 91, partially shown in Fig. 3, may be provided above a fiuid catch basin 98 and beneath the path of movement of the inverted containers. The cleaning fluid may be supplied to the pipe 91 from any suitable source of supply, the arrangement being such that jets essere 'of the :cleaninguidf-will libe direetedlupwardly Tfromjet holesg inthe-'top lportionfofthe-pipe '291,las indicated by the-arrows I. It will belunderstood that in -a-iiuid discharge mechanism'of the general 'kindlpartially -shown' in #Fig "3; the rpipe-"91 maybe `vclosed--atiits end '(not-'fsho'wr'nv which is 'remote-frointhe source 'off-'supply -of the cleaning fluid. The jet'holes 199- may' beprovided -in4 sets of a lplurality, four in-the`iexan`iple shown, of llongitudinally spaced, adjacent Iiet holes, the 'adjacent sets `being separated Vor-spaced apart av-distance considerably greater than-that between'jetholes--of the sar-ne set. Thus,`the-in Vverted containersmay be subjected-to upward jetsrof cleaning fluid "duringfan .earlypartf of `the lowerfrlunlof the-mainconveyor, then-perr'nitted to drainiduri-r-ig'a-furtherpart of that run, 'thensubjeeted to Vfurtherje'ts of cleaning'V fluid,

Yand s'o'on. `'Alternate washing yor'rinsingA and draining oper-ations 'may be continued fora' predetermined lpartof Athe `lower 'run Aof i the "main conveyor, it ybeing understood rthat ani adequate nnal dra-i-ningiperiod will be provided while-the containers arestill inverted or 'have not'been rightedYsuiiciently toi-prevent -drainage of' liquid therefrom.

After Abeing--guided bythe Sprocket "7 to---the upper run'of'-theconveyo1,the' washed or rinsed and dra-ined -conta-iners,` now upright, will -be revmoved VVAfrom I'their pocket mechanisms at'the unloading *station 28, Fig. `1, `by the unloading mechanism 19, as hereinbefore explained.

lThewmod'ication'shown in part in Figi-6 has a main conveyor haifn,=generaliy designated-IGI, `like-the conveyor chain I, except that 4it may -be longer, if required, tope'rmit the lower stretch thereof'to :pass-partially around-'and in 'engage- 'ment with the upper-@part of a vertically disposed idleisproeketfISZ. This sprocket Mis-'mounted 'to rotate about asta'tionary horizontal shaft ID3. A Washing w-heel Ililtro-tates with the sprocket E52 and is provi'dedfwith'radial passages IE5 extendinglfrom'thef-stationary shaft |63 'tothe outer peripheryof thewa's'hingwheel. Theouter end portions of the 'passages H35 may Ibe-Y'screwthreaded'at 'IS -for engagement with threaded 'attaching inner 'lend 'portions I-el' of" nozzles1 i108. Thev shaftV I'BS'ha's Aa partial bore SS which may be adapted at `its-outer Vend for connectionwit'h a source of supply of aswashing fiuidvunder pressure, as `hereinafter-` more particularly explained with reference tobthestructure shown' 'in Fig, 1G. The partial `bore H39 leads' to 'fan 'upwardly vturned radial passage H -in-the shaft. The passage I1I-3 preferably is Slightly wider than each Y'of the radial passages I 05. The number and 'spacingfof the passages I B are'such, in relationl'to'the pocket 'n'lechanismal generally indicated at-III, on the conveyor chain IiiI', that each 'of' the'feo'ntainers, shown as stubby bottles* H2, carriedfby the pocket mechanisms I I, will be aligned 'with a nozzle 408 during the'mo'vement of that container and its aligned nozzle into and past register Ywith the cleaning iluid supplypassage l le. 'Each 1bottle H2 or other narrow neck container carried by a pocket mechanism III, thus will receive its intended quota of cleaning fiuidywhich maybe 'projected into theinverted container completely to the upper end thereof. `-A shield or baiiieplate IIB may be mounted '-abovethe 'washing wheel and v-a Acatch pan'lor 'basin H maybedispose'd therebeneath. "Alsojvertically spaced guide rails I5 and IVI 6, respectively, similar to""thefguide rails 81 and-T88 heretofore described; maybef-pro- 8 *transversely grooved-portons of the 'bodiesv'of vthe respective pocket mechanisms I I I YtoV prevent sagging or tilting of the lower stretch of the con- `veyor chain IUI -and the container-carrying pocket mechanisms thereon after such chain passes the sprocket m2.

The container-holding pocket mechanismsv I Il 'are shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. Each includes a body II'I having its upper and lower portions provided with the transversely `extending grooves L and 95, respectively, Fig. '8, for engagement with the rounded adjacent edge'pOI- tions of the rails 87 and 88 and with similar portions of the rails IIE and IIS, as hereinbefore has been pointed out. The body III has lugs IIB and IIS, similar to the lugs Il and I8 on the 'body I6 of the pocket mechanism I5, hereinbefore described. These lugs are for mounting a pocket mechanism III on the projecting ends' of the pintles or pivot pins 4 of the main conveyor.

The body I I1 has'a forwardly projecting xed jaw member IZB. A cooperative, 'pivoted jaw 'member I2I is provided at the opposite side of the body Ill, being mounted on a vertical pivot pin`|22 and being provided at its free end with a roller |23. The member I2I is urged continuously toward the xe'd jaw member I 20 by torsion spring means, indicated at IE. Fixed stops i25 on an insert |26, which is fastened by acap screw-I2? to the-body Il'in at the-front of 'the latter, 'limit the extentrtof-which the pivoted jaw vIZI can swing'toward the'fixed jaw l|25 u'nd'er the impulsionof the torsion spring .means 'The 'insert '|26 has'an integral upwardly projecting arm'iZ andal downwardlyprojecting "integral arm 129. The latter 'has a -forwardly extending shelf' I3@ thereon which mayserve aS a' partial seat for the bottom of the container I I2 when the latter'lias'beenV gripped between the 'xed and pivoted container side engaging jaws. The 'upwardly projecting arm' I28 has a forwardly projecting 'top --portion IS-I which includes a 'stepped-'up flat en'd portion I32. This wlloverlie 'thenpper end-'of the container H2 andnisrprovided with"an`ap'erture I33,"Fig .8, .in register with the mouth ofthe container I I2 to permit the jet or stream of washing 'fluid from'a noz'zle .Hi8 'of the' 'washing wheel' 'I'El'to pass'therethroughV to 'the interior'of the .inverted container. -The -pait YI32 alsomay serve as a's'top to limit downward 'movement of the-inverte'dcontainer in its holder.

VVThe bottles ll'inay'be loaded into and unloaded 'from the pocket mechanisms onf-the main 'conveyor chain IBI-'inthe manner and by means "substantially as hereinbefore described. 'The structural details of'the remainder of the modic'ation,' partially shown'in-Fig. 6, also mayl be substantially the same as those whichhave been pointed'o'ut Iinthe description of the form of structure shown in Fig. 1. y

The modication shown in part in ligsfQto 13, inclusive,4 is designed primarily'for'the handling Mand washing 'of 'relatively large, narrow neckA containers, such as` the y'bottles .indicated atl |34. In this modification the "main conveyor chainma'y be Ylike that of 'the'modicatio'n'shown in Figr, and therefore has 'been 'designated bv 'thesame'refe'rence character,'that is," mi. `The 'lower `Vstretch-"of -this conveyor chain'fmaypass 'around thes-procket'- Nil-Fig 9, as'in' the caseof the Fig. vl"formfofconstruction. This sprocket lis 4mounted to iturriidlyabout the stationary horiizontal' shaft` ID3. As y'shown lin'Fig.'Y 10, -the shaft x'vided in appropriate-*positionsto cooperateiwith 75 1113 'has alpartialf--bore Ille-which isf-connected :at

aes/.Saver its outer end with a source of supply of a suitable cleaning fluid under pressure, represented by the pipe |35. At its inner end, the bore |09 is merged into the radial passage IIO. A washing wheel |36 also is mounted on the shaft |03 and has 8J rim flange ISG-a., adjustably connected at |.3'|-|3'|' (see Fig. 9) to a spoke of the sprocket |02 to cause the washing Wheel to turn with the sprocket.

The washing wheel has a series of generally radial passages |38, extending from the portion of the shaft |03 through which the passage |I0 opens to the outer periphery of such washing wheel. A short nozzle or discharge nipple |30 is screwed into the outer end portion of each of the passages |38. The arrangement is such that each of these nozzles will be aligned with the mouth of each inverted container |34, carried by a container-holding pocket mechanism, generally -designated |40, on the main conveyor chain IOI during the time that such container and its aligned nozzle are moved into the past register with the passage III] in the upper part of the stationary shaft |03. A jetof stream of cleaning fluid thus will be directed into each of the containers |34 while it is inverted. The adjustable connections |3|-|3'|' permit pre-adjustment of the washing wheel around the axis of the shaft |03 and relative to the sprocket |02 to assure accurate register of each nozzle |39 with a 'bottle in a pocket mechanism |40 on the chain The container-holding pocket mechanism |40 may comprise a body |4| having transversely extending rounded upper and lower grooves I 42 and |43, respectively, for engaging with adjacent edges of the rail-s 01 and 8B during the upper run of the conveyor and similarly with rails such as II and IIS, Fig. 6, during part of the lower run of the conveyor. The body |4| has attaching lugs |44 and I 45, respectively, which serve the purpose of the lugs and I8 of the pocket mechanism i5, hereinbefore described.

An insert |46 is attached to the body I4! by the cap screws |41 and |48, Fig. 13. This insert has a -pair of forwardly extending spaced arms |40 and |50 respectively, adapted to partially encircle the body of the container |34. These arms preferably although not necessarily, are made of a material having considerable inherent resilience, so that such arms. the outer end portions of which are flared at I5| and |52, respectively, will tend to exert a spring gripping action on the body of the container. These arms may carry spring jaws or container body engaging elements, in the form of loops |53 projecting through apertures |54 in the outer portions of the arms |40 and |50 against the body of the container |34 at places slightly in advance of the vertical center line of that container. These loops |53 have attaching stems or Shanks |55 fastened at |55 to the arms |49 and |50, both the loops and their attaching stems being made of a spring metal wire or other material having good resilience. The insert |46 has a vertical projection |57 which is turned forwardly at |58 to provide a partial seat for the Ibottom of the container |34 when the container is upright. An oppositely extending vertical projection |59 has a forwardly turned portion |00 which is cut away or recess-ed at ISI to receive the neck portion cf the container. A pair of spring gripping jaws |62 are carried Iby the part |00 to grip the neck portion of the container. As shown, Fig. 13, these spring grippers |62 are portions 0f a length of spring wire which has been appropriately bent to provide an intermediate or attaching eye or loop |63 fastened by a screw |64 to the part |60, and having its extremities bent for engagement at |65 and |66, respectively, with holes |61 in the part |60. The holder just described is well adapted to accommodate a relatively large narrow neck container, such as a quart bottle. Various inserts may be used with the same body I 4| of the container-holding pocket mechanism |40 to adapt such mechanism for use to hold narrow neck container which respectively are larger or smaller than the bottle |34 and of the same or different shapes. The body I4I of the pocket mechanism may have a depending portion, such as that indicated at I 6B in Fig. 10, adapted to slide on the face of the washer wheel flange ISE-a to stabilize the movement of the main conveyor and of the inverted containers carried thereby during the washing operation.

From the foregoing description of illustrative practical embodiments of the invention, it will b-e clear that the invention provides practical and eflicient automatic machinery of a relatively simple construction and mode of operation for taking wide-mouth or narrow neck containers from a moving line, as in a container packing or bottling plant, for thoroughly washing or rinsing such containers, and for thereafter returning them to the packing or bottling line, all these operations being performed rapidly so that they may be coordinated with the operations of the associate container packing or bottlingequipment.

The invention is not limited to the details of the illustrative practical embodiments herein described as many changes therein and modications thereof will now readily occur to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In container washing or rinsing machinery, a flexible carrier, spaced pins projecting laterally from one edge of the carrier, and container holders, each comprising a rigid body having a pair of oppositely extending apertured, lateral attaching lugs respectively mounted on adjacent pins, a pair of cooperative container side grippers projecting from the side of the rigid body opposite said edge of the carrier, and a removable and replaceable insert xedly secured to the same side of said rigid body and provided with a pair of opposed container movement limiting elements projecting at the same side of said rigid body as said side grippers at places spaced along a line extending approximately midway between the side grippers.

2. In container washing or rinsing machinery, a flexible carrier, spaced pins projecting laterally from one edge of the carrier, and container holders, each comprising a rigid body having a pair of oppositely extending lateral apertured attaching lugs respectively mounted on adjacent pins and also having a xed jaw member projecting forwardly therefrom adjacent to a side edge thereof, a cooperative forwardly projecting jaw member pivotally mounted on the holder body adjacent to its opposite side edge, spring means urging the pivotally mounted jaw member toward the fixed jaw member, and an insert detachably secured to the front of said rigid holder body between said jaw members, said insert having stop means thereon for limiting the movement of said pivotally mounted jaw member toward the fixed jaw member.

3. The combination specified by claim 2 wherein said insert extends vertically above and below the Vupper and lower-ends,*respectively; offsaidv rigid body and is provided'fatzits' upperarnziwlower` ends with forwardly: proj ecting :elements adaptedv to serve as stops to limit vvertical'n'iov'ement in either direction relative to said holder of a conf tainer disposed between'andgripped bysaidcooperative jaw' members.'

4. The combination specified by claim v2 where in said insert extends verticallysabove--and Vbelow the upper and lowerfends,` respectively; of said rigid body and is provided at Yits upperfand lower ends with forwardlyprojecting elements adapted to serve as stopsf to limit vertical movement* ini eitherv direction :relative tosaid Vholder 'of a conf tainer disposed between and'gripped by'saidcooperative jawmembers; the upper forwardly pro# jecting element on said insert having: an aperV ture formed therethroughV in' position to be; aligned with the" mouth of an: uprightY container;

in the jaws'of said holder.

5. Thecombination specified by 'claim-2 wherein said springmeans'islintegralwith and/forms part of said pivotally mountedjawmember.'

6. The: combination specified by`claimr2-'whereiin said spring means is separate fromV said piv' otally mounted jaw'member andthe'.- latter' has a rollermounted'at its' free end'forcontact with the side of a container that isl-grippe'dbetween' said jaw menibers';

7. In container washingor rinsing. machinery,

a" flexible-carrier,A spaced 'pinsprojectinglaterally" from one" edge of thevcarrier; Aand'containerholders," each' comprising-.arigid': bodyfhavirig a pair.`

of oppositely extending apertured attaching-'lugs respectively' mounted." on adjacent pinsll andi a removable and replaceable insert'4 xedly se'cured toY said rigidbodyand provided with a" pair'of forwardly proj ecting: relatively spaced jaw members adapted to embrace and gripbetween them' the body of a container, said jaw members being apertured andv having spring? pressed' elements thereon extending throughv thelapertures ofthev jaw members against the Wall of the interposed container' body, said insert-also having a pair of" vertically spaced forwardly projecting endportions, respectively adapted to engage with op'- posite endportionso'fsaid container to lirnitvertical'moveme'nt thereof'relative to said'fjaw members, the forwardly pro'jecting'end portion o'f the'-I insertY for the open endfpo'rtion of the container being formed to partially encircle the latter and aspring clip .thereon .for gripping. the .partially encirclednpen end portion YofV4 tliefv container.

8. Inamachine for washingA or rinsing glass.

containers,such as bottlesand vjars, amain -con A veyor'comprising an endless chain,` horizontally. spaced vertically disposedY sprockets operatively.

supporting said chain so that it has a substantially horizontalV upper stretch and a lowerv return stretch, a series of holders for thecon, tainers, said holders .being carried lby lsaid chain sogas-to beuprightwhenon said .upper stretch and invertedwhenpn said lower stretch, said holders having container'accommodating. pockets.

open at one side of-said chain for the ingress and egress ofcontaine-rs, ,andV each being constructedv andarranged to hold-a .container firmly but relea-sably therein so that. the container will be.

invertedL when itsholder is inverted, means to drive said chain,- means locatedvbelow and in operative Vrelationto .-the then inverted 4holders carried by said lower stretchfto project cleaningV fiuid upwardly. into the.inverted containers in.

said holders, apair of. vertically spaced, fixed, horizontal guide railsV respectively extending above and below thel upper, stretch-of the mainl conveyor and transverselygrooved elementsl atthe topsand bottoms, respectively, of said holders and rigid therewith for. receiving and slidablyA engaging adjacentedgeportions of. said guide railstopreventsagging,v tilting-5 or side sway of the upperA stretch of-` themainconveyor, .the slidably co-engaging portions of said guide rails and transversely g-roovedlelements. having their contacting surfaces. complementarily rounded` in. cross-sectionalconfiguration.l.

GEORGE EL ROWE.

References Citedi inf the* le" of this patent UNITED` STATES" PATENTS' 

